WACO, Texas - Baylor's men's basketball program signed point guard Robert Hart of Paris Junior College to a national letter of intent during the spring signing period.
Hart helped lead coach Bill Foy's Paris Dragons to a 24-9 record this season as a sophomore and a spot in the NJCAA Region XIV championship game, where they lost to Lon Morris College and fellow Baylor signee Terrance Thomas.
"Robert provides us with an experienced point guard," head coach Dave Bliss said. "He's a floor general with good leadership skills, who will compete for playing time."
A 5-10, 180-pound guard, Hart averaged 12.9 points and 6.3 assists for Paris in 2000-2001. He was named to the All-Region XIV third team, and to the 2002 Region XIV All-Tournament team. Hart finished fifth in the region with a 79.2 (76-96) free throw percentage. As a freshman in 2000-2001, Hart was named honorable mention All-Region XIV.
Hart is a 2000 graduate of Madison High School in Dallas, where he played under head coach Ellis Kidd Sr. and alongside fellow Baylor signee Ellis Kidd Jr. Hart was a member of Madison's 1997 3A state championship team as a freshman and 2000 runner-up squad as a senior. He averaged 24 points, five assists and three steals as a senior in 2000 and was named first-team TABC All-State.
"Robert has tremendous experience, which is in keeping with our recruiting plan this year," Bliss said. "Our emphasis was to gain experience. We were pleased with the play of our young players last year, and the addition of some experienced players, especially Robert, will benefit us."
Hart joins three signees Baylor inked in the fall, Kidd a guard at Seminole State and forwards Tommy Swanson of North Crowley High School in Fort Worth and Thomas of Lon Morris College.
BAYLOR SIGNEES:Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown (previous schools)Robert Hart G 5-10 180 Jr. Dallas, Texas (James Madison HS/Paris JC)Ellis Kidd Jr. G 6-4 185 So. Dallas, Texas (James Madison HS/Oklahoma State/Seminole State)Tommy Swanson F 6-9 215 Fr. Fort Worth, Texas (North Crowley HS)Terrance Thomas F 6-7 220 Jr. Dallas, Texas (Maceo Smith HS/Lon Morris College)
